This time, pass-first plan panned after 49ers stray from strength

Frank Gore had just eight carries in a 26-3 loss to the Giants on Sunday. (AP)

In last year’s regular-season win over the Giants, the 49ers fooled their opponent with a pass-first game plan.

Running back Frank Gore entered that contest with a franchise-record five straight 100-yard games, but the 49ers’ first-half play selection went as follows: 20 passes and six runs.

The apparent madness worked marvelously.

After four quarters, the 49ers had 30 passes by Alex Smith, 14 carries by running backs and two coaches who were thrilled with the plan after a 27-20 win.

“We really feel like the table was set,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “… As the defenses continue to load the box more and more, you just kind of keep baiting it and keep baiting it. We wanted to come out throwing this game a lot and the guys did a great job executing it.”

Said Jim Harbaugh: “The game plan was to put the ball in (Smith’s) hand, and he responded like we knew he would.”

Eleven months after that win, the 49ers tried a similar plan against the Giants on Sunday. This time, they exited with three interceptions, a 26-3 loss and one coach who panned the plan (Roman didn’t meet the media after this one).

“Plan-wise, obviously it wasn’t the right one,” Harbaugh said after the game, later adding “the plan wasn’t the best plan.”

Yes, if the plan results in a win, you’ve outsmarted your opponent.

In a loss, you’ve outsmarted yourself.

That’s the way it appeared after the 49ers strayed far from their strength Sunday.

They entered with the NFL’s leading rushing offense (195.8) and were averaging 6.1 yards a carry, their highest mark after five games since 1954. But they dialed up 21 first-half pass plays (19 attempts, 1 sack, 1 scramble) and nine runs against New York, which had the league’s 16th-ranked run defense.

Instead of a heavy dose of ground and pound, they went with a heavier-than-usual dose of secret weapon Colin Kaepernick. Harbaugh acknowledged the shuttling of his backup quarterback in and out of the game could have disrupted the flow of the offense: The 49ers opened the game with two 12-play drives that fizzled shortly after Kaepernick entered the huddle.

On Sunday, the Giants flogged the 49ers with their own formula. They won the turnover battle (3-0), outrushed them 149-80 and dominated field position. New York’s average drive started at their own 40; the 49ers at their own 20.

Looking ahead, expect to see plenty more of Gore (eight carries vs. Giants) when the 49ers host Seattle on Thursday night.

On a short week, there is a silver lining to last week’s strategy: At least Gore should be fresh against the NFL’s second-ranked run defense.